[IRP] Brainstorm...What do we call the punchy principles?

[Lisa Horner]

Hi all

Thanks for the further suggestions.  I'm personally happy with most of them and have incorporated them below, with one or two slight modifications...

We've discussed whether we can say that everyone has a duty to promote rights quite a lot in the context of the Charter and these principles, and it was concluded that we can't. Everyone has a duty to respect, but only states have a responsibility to promote and fulfil.

For encryption, we did have the right to anonymity under expression already.  But it's under privacy in the Charter and probably makes more sense there....and now we've added association to expression in these principles, it makes it more concise.  So I've taken it out of expression, and added encryption to privacy. The privacy principle has also changed a bit following some suggestions from Katitza (she also wants to take a closer look this evening)...mainly to separate out data protection from privacy of communication, and to remove "retention", as this implies that data retention is ok whilst the privacy community is pushing for minimal data retention.

RE life, liberty and security....from what I remember, this was pushed for hard by some of the punchy group people.  It relates to the use of the Internet to infringe on other's rights e.g. for the trafficking and abuse of women and children.

RE more time for discussion....I hear what you're saying, and if people really want to discuss further that's fine.  However, some are really keen to get this out, and it seems a strategic time to do so, as we discussed in our last conference call.  The punchy group worked hard on the doc, and many other active coalition members have made suggestions and said they're happy with it.  For the Charter, we delayed the process following the IGF to allow for more discussion and debate, despite the fact that many didn't want to.  Then, in the end, not many people participated in the prolonged revision process.  The idea was always to try and get these principles out quickly, so that we can spend time getting the detail of the Charter right (which fleshes out many of these principles, adding the nuance that such a punchy doc can't).  

So, I would really like to get this out and make the most of imminent opportunities to start spreading the word.  But if there are strong objections, let's discuss.

Thanks again, and all the best,
Lisa

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 10 INTERNET RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES

This document defines ten key rights and principles that must form the basis of Internet governance.  They have been compiled by the Internet Rights and Principles Dynamic Coalition (IRP), an open network of individuals and organisations working to uphold human rights in the Internet environment. The principles are rooted in international human rights standards, and derive from the coalition's emerging Charter of Human Rights and Principles for the Internet.

The Internet offers unprecedented opportunities for the realisation of human rights, and plays an increasingly important role in our everyday lives.  It is therefore essential that all actors, both public and private, respect and protect human rights on the Internet.  Steps must also be taken to ensure that the Internet operates and evolves in ways that fulfil human rights to the greatest extent possible.  To help realise this vision of a rights-based Internet environment, the 10 Rights and Principles are:

1) Universality and Equality
All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights, which must be respected, protected and fulfilled in the online environment.
 
2) Rights and Social Justice
The Internet is a space for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights and the advancement of social justice. Everyone has the duty to respect the human rights of all others in the online environment.

3) Accessibility
Everyone has an equal right to access and use a secure and open Internet.
 
4) Expression and Association
Everyone has the right to seek, receive, and impart information freely on the Internet without censorship or other interference. Everyone also has the right to associate freely through and on the Internet, for social, political, cultural or other purposes.

5) Privacy and data protection
Everyone has the right to privacy of communication online.  This includes freedom from surveillance and the right to use encryption.  Everyone also has the right to data protection, including control over how their personal data is collected, used, disclosed, commercially exploited and disposed.

6) Life, liberty and security
The rights to life, liberty, and security must be respected, protected and fulfilled online. These rights must not be infringed upon, or used to infringe other rights, in the online environment. 

7) Diversity
Cultural and linguistic diversity on the Internet must be promoted, and technical and policy innovation should be encouraged to facilitate diversity of expression.

8) Network equality 
Everyone shall have universal and open access to the Internet's content, free from discriminatory prioritisation, filtering or traffic control on commercial or political grounds.           

9) Standards and regulation
The Internet's architecture, communication systems, and document and data formats shall be based on open standards that ensure complete interoperability, inclusion and equal opportunity for all.

10) Governance
Human rights and social justice must form the legal and normative foundations upon which the Internet operates and is governed. This shall happen in a transparent and multilateral manner, based on principles of openness, inclusive participation and accountability.